Afterlight

Glasgow-based Ímar are named after a ninth-century king who ruled over Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man – which might explain the prog-rock-ish cover art. They boast a five-piece line-up that features current and former members of Mànran, RURA, Talisk, Barrule, Cara, Mabon and The Lowground, with a collective trophy-cabinet fairly groaning with awards and accolades.

Their grounding in the musical and cultural heritage of Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man is as beyond reproach as the musicianship of Talisk's concertina player Mohsen Amini (2016 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year); Adam Brown from RURA (twice all-Ireland bodhrán champion, also an accomplished guitarist); gifted Manx fiddle player Tomas Callister and bouzouki player Adam Rhodes, both from Barrule; and Mànran's uilleann piper, flautist and whistle player Ryan Murphy. Traditional tunes from around the Celtic world are skilfully combined with contemporary originals but virtually the only respite from all the high-energy levels comes with Hamish Napier's dreamy ‘Friends on the Hilltop’, one track from the end. If they'd just take it a little bit easier, with a tad more light and shade, these guys could soon be real contenders.